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Poor survivorship of 0-1 age (recruits) is a serious concern for the fishery.
2001 Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery. Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 5; July 1, 2001)
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Poor recruitment in Atlantic menhaden, like the reproduction capability, is cyclical, has occurred in the past, and recruitment has rebounded to normal levels.
2001 Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery. Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 3; July 1, 2001)
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"There is no evidence that recent low levels of recruitment have been caused by overfishing."
2001 Status of Atlantic Menhaden Stock and Fishery. Atlantic Menhaden Technical Committee. P. 5; July 1, 2001)
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"The (spawning potential ration, SPR) estimate for 2000 ( 18.6%) is above the 75th percentile for the historical period. Additionally, Atlantic menhaden have demonstrated that they can produce good to excellent recruitment from much lower values of SPR, especially during the mid to late 1970s and early 19805 when the stock was rebuilding."
(SOURCE: Analyses on the Status of the Atlantic Menhaden Stock. NOAA Fisheries Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research. P. 4; June 7, 2001.)
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About 50% of the available Atlantic menhaden fishery has been closed to the reduction industry for at least 10 years.
(SOURCE: Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. P. 38; July, 2001.)
If there is no scientific evidence that low levels of recruitment are caused by overfishing and low recruitment continues, despite half the fishery being closed, isn't it reasonable to deduce that something other than fishing is causing the low recruitment?
If you agree with the above statement, you are reasoning like a scientist. And if you are genuinely concerned about the health of the Atlantic menhaden, you will focus on the areas that scientists believe could be contributing factors to poor recruitment:
1. Loss of estuarine habitat
2. Water quality
3. Environmental contaminants
4. Habitat modification
5. Pfisteria and similar dinoflagellate blooms
6. Predation by other fish
A
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